Farmer in China initiates underwater vessel
In the world of submarine engineering, China has made significant strides with its advanced nuclear-powered vessels. However, away from the military spotlight, individual inventors have been diving into their own submarine projects, with one such example being the "Big Black Fish."
A 60-year-old Chinese farmer named Zhang Shengwu is the brains behind this homemade submarine, which can accommodate two people, dive up to 8 meters, and stay underwater for about half an hour. Zhang's submarine uses a small battery and electric motor, travels at about four knots per hour, and requires resurfacing frequently.
Zhang's journey into submarine construction began in 2014, after watching footage of submarine construction on TV. Inspired, he embarked on a mission, investing 5,000 yuan on steel plates, engines, and other materials. However, his first attempt, launched in 2016, ended in disappointment as the submarine leaked. Undeterred, Zhang invested an additional 40,000 yuan and built a new steel structure for the Big Black Fish.
The Big Black Fish is not the first homemade submarine in China. In 2009, a karaoke bar worker named Tao Xiangli cruised around a local reservoir in Beijing in a homemade submarine. In China's northern Shaanxi Province, a villager accumulated a debt of 200,000 yuan to fund the construction of a submarine around 2015.
These individual submarine builders face challenges, such as limited underwater endurance and performance compared to military submarines, significant financial investment often leading to personal debt, and technical and materials challenges in constructing functional submarines capable of safe dives.
Despite these challenges, the successes are notable. Zhang and other amateur submarine builders have successfully constructed and operated small manned submarines capable of short dives and low-speed navigation. These projects have also allowed individuals to advance their personal knowledge and engineering skills.
The homemade submarines are small-scale and experimental compared to China's advanced military nuclear submarines. They serve more as individual projects driven by passion rather than any commercial or governmental submarine development. As for Zhang, he continues to dream big, planning to build an even bigger submarine in the future.
- Despite not being as advanced as China's military nuclear-powered submarines, Zhang Shengwu's homemade submarine, the Big Black Fish, utilizes technology such as a small battery and electric motor, showcasing the potential for individual innovation in the field.
- The development of technology, such as electric motors and batteries, has allowed amateur submarine builders like Zhang to construct and operate small manned submarines, demonstrating the power of personal passion in driving innovation and skill advancement.
